Allardyce: Dunn needs more matches

03 September 2009 02:10

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has set influential midfielder David Dunn a target of playing in at least two-thirds of the club's matches this season.
Dunn, 30 in December, made just 17 appearances during an injury-interrupted 2008/09 campaign in which he was sidelined for four months early on.
He has featured in Rovers' last two games, playing his first full 90 minutes since January 2008 in Saturday's goalless draw at home to West Ham. With central midfield patrolled by the likes of the defensively-minded Steven Nzonzi, Vince Grella, Keith Andrews and
Steven Reid, Dunn offers some much-needed creativity.
However, Allardyce knows if the player is to rediscover his best form he needs to be playing in regular long spells.
"You have to try to get Dunn fit for 25-30 games," said the Rovers boss. "That has been the unfortunate situation for David over the last couple of years.
"I didn't expect I would leave him on for 90 minutes against West Ham with him having played 60 minutes at Gillingham (in a Carling Cup tie four days previously). But I was glad to say I thought David got better as the game went on. He was popping up with the ball more and more."